Moistening-pad



(No Model.) i

H. L. KEEL'ER.

- MOISTBNING PAD. I No. 486,783. Patented Nov 22, 1892.

Wiigzsszs 1930,916

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD L. KEELER, 0F MOUNT HOLLY, NEW JERSEY.

MOISTENING-PAD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 486,783, dated November 22, 1892.

I Application filed August 10, 1892. fierial No. 442,660- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HOWARD L. KEELER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mount Holly, in the county of Burlington and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Moisteniug-Pads, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in moistening-pads for stamps, envelopes, &c., and has for its object to produce an article which shall be simple yet efficient in operation and which shall combine all the desirable qualities of an article of its class.

The form and construction of my pad are such that it may be conveniently used as a paper-weight.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the moistening-pad.

Similar letters of reference in the several figures indicate the same parts.

Referring to the drawings, the letterA represents the body of the pad, of any convenient size and shape and made, preferably, of cast glass. The fiangeH is intended to giveafirmer base-rest. The body is made, preferably, cylindrical in shape and hollow, thus forming the reservoir for the reception of the moistening liquid. The upperendis screw-threaded to engage a corresponding screw-thread in the cap B. In the peculiar form and construction of this cap and its parts resides my invention. The cap'and its parts are preferably cast together in one piece, although they may be made separate and secured together by screws or equivalent means. The cap, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, comprises the cover J, from the edge of which rises the supporting-arm M, from which extends the projection O. The projection C may be made of any desired shape. I have, however, shown my preferred form in the drawings. The cap is perforated to receive the feed-wick D,which passes vertically up ward to the top of the projection G and then horizontally along said projection in a groove F formed therein to receive the same. The lower portion 0 of the projection extends along above the cover just over the groove or depression G, the projection being at such a distance from the cover that when the collar E, formed of felt or any other desired absorbent material, is slipped on said projection the lowest point of said collar is slightly below the surface of the cover J, this construction being designed for a purpose to be pointed out presently. A space of perhaps a sixteenth of an inch is left between the felt collar E and the sides of the depression G.

The moistening liquid rises through, the wick D, from which it is fed to the collar E by capillary attraction and by the same force is disseminated throughout said collar.

To moisten a stamp it is put on the top edge of the projection and pressed down upon the moistened collar, and in my device the, advantage is that the stamp will not stick to the felt as it would if the surface against which it is pressed were flat; but being pressed over.

a corner, when it is released one end will rise from the felt, when the stamp may be picked up and removed.

In moistening an envelope it is not necessary to open the envelope out flat, nor are two hands necessary to perform the operation. The gummed flap is slipped under the projection and drawn along, the flap being pressed against the moistening-pad by virtue of the depression G under the pad.

The many advantages of my device are apparent, combining as it does simplicity of construction with ease and efficiency of operation. The parts when worn out may be renewed with but little trouble or expense, and should the moistening-collar become soiled it may be removed, washed, and returned to its place without serious inconvenience. It may be so made in fanciful designs as to be an ornament to a desk, as well as being used as a paper-weight. It will, too, be convenient for moistening the fingers of those who handle bills, &c.

It will be readily understood that I may vary the details of construction of my device without in the least departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A device of the class described, having the reservoir A and cap B, comprising the cover J, the upright supporting-arm M, the projection G, the feed-Wick D, and the absorbent collar E, substantially as described.

2. A device of the classdescribed, having the reservoir A and cap B, comprising the cover J, the upright supporting-arm M, the projection G, the groove Fin said projection, the feed-Wick, and the continuous absorbent collar E, substantially as described.

3. A device of the class described, having a reservoirA and cap B, comprising the cover J, the depression G in said cover, the upright supporting-arm M, the projection O, the feedwick, and the continuous absorbent collar E, substantially as described.

4. A device of the class described, comprising the reservoir A, the cover J, the depression G in said cover, the supporting-arm M, the projection G, the groove F in said projection, the continuous collar E, and the feedwick passing under the collar in said groove in contact with said collar, substantially as described.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination, with the reservoir A, feed-Wick D, cover J, supporting-arm M, and projection O, of a continuous-absorbent collar or band E, adapted tobe slipped over said projection,

ing the cover J, having the depression G therein, the supporting-arm M, the Wick D, the continuous band or collar E, covering the projection O, the said projection having an upwardly-extending edge with the groove F therein, and a downwardlyextending edge 0, disposed over the depression Gin the cover J, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signaturein the presence of two witnesses.

HOWARD L. K'EELER.

Witnesses:

BLANOHE TRAVIS, H. M. STERLING. 

